Under $100: Brussels

Brussels is simply a really cool medieval city that doesn’t get the recognition it deserves. The capital of Belgium and the European Union, Brussels is politically oriented, but that doesn’t mean the city doesn’t know how to have a good time. Here’s how to get the most out of your day in Brussels.

Of course you’re going to want a waffle to start off your Belgian day right. Peck 47 offers just about the best in the city (along with a lot of other delicious dishes for around €10).

Tintin, Snowy and Captain Haddock in the Stoofstraat © Jorisvo | Dreamstime

The Royal Museum of Fine Arts (€13) is a fine choice for your morning, but consider instead the Belgian Comic Strip Center. The celebration of all things comic has more than 5,000 original drawings and, of course, a section dedicated to the pride of Belgium, Tin Tin.

Eat lunch at Les Filles-Plaisirs Culinaires, which won the award for the Best Gastronomic Concept in Brussels. The menu changes daily, so expect only the freshest (€16).

The Grand Palace of Brussels © Horia Vlad Bogdan | Dreamstime

After lunch, check out the Grand-Place, Brussel’s main market square and UNESCO World Heritage Site. There is usually a flower market, concert and light show during the evening.

For dinner, you’d be hard-pressed to find better than Friture René, a little out of the center, but worthwhile. They are famous for their bottomless Belgian fries and horse steak (but they have other meats too, €25).

Delirium Cafe © Jonathan Weiss | Dreamstime

Finally, the moment you’re really been waiting for. Head over to the incredible Delirium Café, home of the world’s best beer (awarded too many years to count). The bar also has more than 3,000 beers to choose from (also a record, by the way). Outside, you’ll pass a relative of the Mannekin-Pis, Belgium’s famous peeing-boy statue, his sister, Jeanneken Pis.

And when you stumble home, you’ll realize why Brussels is one of Europe’s coolest cities.

Arc du Cinquantenaire © VanderWolf Images | Dreamstime